Rose plant

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the climbing rose class, which was originated by my crossing Tropicana Climber as seed parent and Swarthmore as pollen parent; characterized by bright orange-red hybrid tea blooms with dark velvet overtones on the inner petals of the open flower, produced on a vigorous-growing, disease resistant climbing shrub with everblooming habit and outstanding winter hardiness.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the climbing shrub class, which was originated by my crossingthe rose variety known as "Climbing Tropicana" (U.S. Plant Pat. No.2,701) with the rose variety known as "Swarthmore" (U.S. Plant Pat. No.2,444).

The new variety resulted from an extensive breeding program conducted byme and having for its objective to produce improved, everblooming,orange and orange-red blended flowering shrub type climbing rosevarieties, and it is one which fully achieves this objective, asevidenced by the following unique combination of characteristics whichare outstanding therein and which distinguish the new variety from itsparents, as well as from all other varieties of which I am aware:

1. An everblooming, bushy, free-standing, vigorous, upright-spreading,climbing habit which can be left as a large, bushy shrub, or trained asa typical climbing plant having long arching or climbing canes up to sixto eight feet in length on first year plants. This new variety isdistinctive from both its parents in that it produces blooming lateralcanes all along the new main arched canes as they are produced.

2. The plant is ever-blooming and produces large 4 inch to 41/2 inchflowers that last well and are produced singly and in clusters of threeto five blooms to a spray.

3. Delicate old rose fragrance.

4. The general tonality of the flowers corresponds to deep orange redwith a light overcast of dark velvet orange red on the inner surface ofeach petal. The flowers are long-lasting, finishing to a delicate orangered and coral pink blend.

5. The strong-growing plant has good hardiness and disease resistance.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety by budding, as performed at WestGrove, Pa., U.S.A., and McFarland, Calif., U.S.A., shows that theaforementioned characteristics and distinctions come true to form andare established and transmitted through succeeding propagation.

The accompanying drawing shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of the new variety in different stages of developmentand as depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible tomake the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new variety, with colorterminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (RHSCC) except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are observed. The terminology used in color descriptionherein refers to plate numbers in the aforementioned color chart, e.g.,"41-C" is plate 41-C of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.

Parentage: Seedling.

Seed parent.--"Tropicana Climber".

Pollen parent.--"Swarthmore".

Class: Climbing shrub.

The following observations are made of specimens grown outdoors at WestGrove, Pa., during the month of September.

FLOWER

Blooming habit: Recurring, continuous.

A. Bud:

(1) Size.--Large.

(2) Form.--High-centered, exhibition.

(3) Color.--When sepals first divide: near 42-A. When petals begin tounfurl, color is near 42-A on edge of inner petal with a blendingdownward to the base of attachment varying in color from 42-B to 42-C.

(4) Sepals.--Short and pointed.

(5) Peduncle.--Length 31/2 to 4 inches. Aspect -- smooth. Strength --erect and heavy. Color.-- 137-D.

B. Bloom:

(1) Size.--Large, average size when fully expanded is 4-41/2".

(2) Borne.--Singly on long canes, and several together on shortbranching canes.

(3) Form.--High centered with good recurl.

(4) Petalage.--40.

(5) Color.--During first two days. Center of flower -- a blending of42-B and 42-C. Outer petals are near 40-A with an overlay of 42-B. Baseof petals: 41-C. Reverse of petals -- 44- C.

(6) Color change.--General tonality from a distance -- near 40-A, with ablending of 42-B and 42-C. Undertones of 41-C give a soft coral cast tothe flowers as they finish. Color is attractive and uniform andhighlights the contrasting foliage well until the petals drop.

C. Petals:

(1) Texture.--Thick with good substance.

(2) Appearance.--Inside velvety; outside satiny.

(3) Form.--Ovoid to pointed at tip.

(4) Arrangement.--Symetrically arranged in a circular outline.

(5) Petaloids in center.--Few.

(6) Persistence.--Drops off cleanly.

(7) Fragrance.--Delicate old rose.

(8) Lasting quality.--Good on plant, and as cut flower.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

A. Stamens, anthers: Medium sized, many arranged around styles.

(1) Color.--Yellow-orange, near to 14-C.

B. Pollen: Color is yellow-orange, near to 21-D.

C. Styles: Uniform, even length.

D. Stigmas:

Color.--Yellow-orange -- 17-C.

E. Hips: Large, rounded, near 28-B when ripe.

PLANT

A. Form: Climber.

B. Growth: Vigorous, upright and free-standing (may be grown on trellisor support).

Height attained.--Six to eight feet.

C. Foliage: Compound of 5 to 7 leaflets.

(1) Size.--Large.

(2) Quantity.--Abundant.

(3) Color.--New foliage: upper side -- 137-A with leathery glossyfoliage; under side -- dull, near 147-C. Old foliage: upper side --135-A, under side -- 147-B.

(4) Shape.--Pointed.

(5) Texture.--Upper side -- leathery with glossy finish. Under side --rough.

(6) Edge.--Serrated.

(7) Serration.--Small, primarily on tip.

(8) Leaf stem.--Color -- 139-B; under side -- 139-C.

(9) Stipules.--Medium length; slightly bearded.

D. Wood:

(1) New wood.--Color -- 138-C. Bark -- smooth.

(2) Old wood.--Color -- 139-B. Bark -- smooth.

E. Thorns:

(1) Thorns.--Quantity: on main stalks from base -- ordinary; on lateralsfrom stalk -- few. Form: flat base, slightly hooked downward. Length:medium. Color when young -- 47-C. Position: irregular.

(2) Prickles.--Quantity: On main stalks -- none; on laterals -- none.

F. Plant's disease resistance:

(1) Mildew.--Very good.

(2) Blackspot.--Very good.

(3) Rust.--None observed.

G. Winter hardiness: Excellent.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the climberclass, substantially as herein shown and described, characterizedparticularly as to novelty by its vigorous habit of growth, its goodhardiness, its abundant and attractive foliage, its very goodremontance, its habit of producing excellent formed blooms singly onlong-stemmed canes and in clusters, the strong and appealing fragranceof its blooms, and the general color tonality of the flowers is brightorange-red, with dark velvet overtones on the inner petals of the openflower.